Past Projects

Orlando Selected As Charge Point America City In 2010, Orlando was one of nine cities selected nationwide to be awarded federal funds through Coulomb technologies, as part of the Charge Point America Grant Program.

Coulomb received a 37 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to jumpstart the electric transportation movement and unveiled their first public charging station on June 17, 2010 in front of Orlando City Hall. Through this grant 300 public charging stations were deployed within a 70-mile radius of downtown Orlando.

Public charging stations have been installed at shopping malls, libraries, parks, community centers, public buildings hotels, theme parks and parking garages. GRCF is currently working with the Department of Motor vehicles and Auto Manuafacturers to improve ways to track the number of EV’s in Central Florida.

Through the partnership between the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) and Coulomb, OUC was able to subsidize the installation costs for Level II (240 volt) public chargers installed in their service territory. 240 volts is the power needed to operate a household dryer, but will charge an EV twice as fast as a level I charge at 120 volts (typical household outlet).

Coulomb duel chargers can power vehicles at either 120 or 240 volts. They are also able to accommodate up to two vehicles at a time. Level I charging requires a standard extension cord, where-as the Level II cord is specially adapted with a universal connector.

Recipients of OUC’s Charge Point stations needed to only provide an easement on their property that is located within 150 feet from a building with OUC power, or an electrical transformer. Orange County and the City of Orlando have already installed seveal EVSE throughout Metro-Orlando. In addition to City Parking garages, Orange County has installed EVSE at the following Orlando locations:

Orange County Converts Fleet Vehicles to Plug-Ins. Orange County converted six of their fleet vehicles to Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). These vehicles get their best “bang for the buck” in heavy city driving. The new battery pack combined with the existing hybrid battery takes about 5 hours to fully charge and can operate completely on electric power at low speeds (<40 mph) for up to 40 miles.

Electric Vehicle Exhibits at Orange County’s Convention Center. Mayor Jacobs wants Orange County to be known as a “Green Destination” and plans to showcase the county’s sustainability projects to visitors. An Education Center focusing on energy efficiency items for your home, or business was errected in 2007 in the South Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center. These ongoing exhibits are part of Orange County’s Sustainable Communities projects and showcases currently available electric cars and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), which are the charging stations being deployed throuthout Central Florida. Here visitors, school groups and the general public can see and touch these demonstration vehicles and learn about electric transportation.